Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for primary varicose veins: a feasible day-case procedure with good surgical and functional outcomes

Objective
The aim of this study was to find out surgical and functional outcomes of the feasible day-case radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure for primary varicose veins (VV).
Background
Management of VV has changed rapidly in recent years. RFA being less invasive alternative to vein stripping can be done by percutaneous catheter-based closure without the necessity of incision.
Patients and methods
This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 26 patients (31 limbs) with primary VV; all patients were treated with RFA using VNUS closure under tumescent anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups according to the performed RFA technique: group A: ‘standard technique’ [16 (51.6%) limbs] and group B: ‘modified technique’ [15 (48.4%) limbs]. Follow-up period was 6 months.
Results
There were satisfactory results with no complications in both groups at 3–6 months of follow-up (93.3% in group A and 86.7% in group B) and marked improvement of patients symptoms (=0.011). The mean operative time was 62.9±5.4 min in group A and 51.8±3.2 min in group B. Patients in both groups were discharged within hours and returned to work within few days. On 1-week postoperative follow-up, minor complications were observed that disappeared with time, except for one (3.3%) limb with deep venous thrombosis, which was reported in group B.
Conclusion
Endovenous RFA and foam sclerotherapy, whichever is the performed technique, have shown to be very promising techniques as they are minimally invasive and highly effective, with high patient satisfaction and quality of life, better cosmetic results, and fewer days off work.